🔗 Share this article

The state AG has rolled out a fresh reporting form urging locals to share visual evidence of immigration raids across the state. This move comes just a shortly after a high-profile enforcement action shook NYC's Chinatown, triggering large-scale protests.

American Citizens Detained During ICE Operation

A US congressman revealed during a news conference that four citizens were arrested and held for "about 24 hours" following Tuesday's raid. Protests erupted in NYC on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"Each citizen has the right to exist without intimidation," the attorney general declared in a release.

"For those who saw and documented ICE activity recently, I urge you to provide that evidence with the authorities. We are dedicated to examining these submissions and investigating any legal breaches."

Submission Process

The form offers fields to upload images and video footage of the incident, as well as a field to specify location information. Prior to sending, submitters must check a checkbox that confirms that "the attorney general might employ any materials, images, or footage in a official report, including in a legal proceeding or public report."

Information about the Chinatown Raid

The enforcement action, which witnesses say involved more than 50 federal agents, occurred in a popular neighborhood of Manhattan where imitation handbags, accessories, jewelry and other goods are sold daily en masse – frequently to sightseers.

Videos of the operation show multiple hooded and equipped federal agents securing and holding a man, and pushing back onlookers. Throngs of New Yorkers followed the personnel through the streets. An armored military vehicle was observed traveling down the Manhattan avenues.

Official Reactions

At a Wednesday press conference organized with the rights organization, the congressman, a lawmaker, said that four US citizens were arrested by immigration for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no conditions where four American citizens should be arrested for no reason." He noted the citizens were released on the following day with no legal action taken.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not about removing offenders," the congressman stated. "This represents a armed campaign to incite tension. It is simply a pretext to provoke conflict for federal officials to bring in the armed forces to prevent violence that they themselves caused."

Widespread Condemnation

Outrage over the federal action quickly spread – all three NYC mayor hopefuls criticized the raid, along with Governor Kathy Hochul.

"Repeatedly, the Trump administration selects authoritarian theatrics that instill panic, rather than security. It needs to cease," a political candidate wrote.

NYC advocacy organizations spoke out too.

"Federal officers descended on the neighborhood with armored transports, masked agents and protective equipment to target street vendors trying to make a living. This raid had no connection to community security and focused completely on frightening communities and areas," stated the head of a major immigrant coalition.

Agency Rules

Agency rules prohibits the arrest of American nationals and the agency has stated it will not take into custody citizens. However, external research has discovered that over 170 American nationals have been detained unlawfully by federal agents during the period of the current administration.

Ongoing Trend

Enforcement actions have been cropping up increasingly in the state and around the country lately.

A recent action in midtown Manhattan was the first known raid on an immigrant shelter of the present government. Rallies against immigration enforcement are ubiquitous as are allegations of force and cruel conditions.

Most recently, a submission submitted by civil rights groups stated inadequate care of pregnant women in government custody.